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EU Commission Tax inquiry a result of government’s head in the sand attitude - Pearse Doherty TD

Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has said the expected announcement tomorrow by the EU Commission that it is to launch a formal investigation is a result of the government adopting a “head in the sand” attitude to Ireland’s Corporation Tax dealings with Apple.

Deputy Doherty said:

“I welcome this expected announcement by the Commission that it will investigate formally Ireland’s tax deal with Apple. The EU Commission will appear before the Finance Committee’s sub-committee on Global Taxation tomorrow where I will question them further on what has caught their attention.

“Time after time when I have raised this issue the government have dismissed me and others. The Finance Committee agreed, on my proposal, to set up a sub-committee to look at the issues involved but the government parties and Fianna Fáil refused to allow the Committee call representatives of Apple and other multinationals.

“Now, it seems the EU Commission have decided there is a case to answer on grounds of possible breaches of State Aid regulations. The government has done only the bare minimum at a time when international opinion is moving towards a more transparent way of taxing multinationals. The time has come to get our house in order.

“Minister Noonan has stressed that reputation is important in attracting multinational companies. Because of his lack of action and his head in the sand approach Ireland’s reputation as a fair and transparent country to do business in is under pressure.”